melissaniu.com

Rocks. They’re everywhere. Each consisting of different matters, densities, and textures. We as humans walk and even drive by thousands of rocks on a daily basis. It isn’t until we need one for skipping or other purposes that we actually pay attention to it’s physical characteristics.

Imagine if a rock had feelings. All of them sitting, waiting, jumbled in a big pile together. They spend there time observing others, comparing their strengths, and staring…waiting for someone to pick them up. Some are smooth with a brilliant tarnish and others can be sharp and without consistency. Many can be large and intimidating but be completely light and without substance. And many of them, quite frankly, are just chips off of another big rock.

Photographers. They’re everywhere. Each consisting of different brains, talents, and capabilities. We as humans walk and even come across many on a daily basis. It isn’t until we need one that we actually pay attention to his or her capabilities behind the camera.

Imagine that photographers all had feelings. We are all sitting, waiting, jumbled in a big pile of photographers. We spend our time observing others, comparing our weaknesses, and working…waiting for someone to pick us up.  Some are smooth with incredible equipment and others can be inconsistent.  Many can be large and intimidating but be completely soulless and without substance.  And many, quite frankly, are just big copiers of another big photographer.

Now I’m not trying to be deep.  Trust me.  I’m truly just trying to relate to my fellow photographers.  I can’t tell you how many times I have received emails or heard comments from other photographers about how they can’t keep up with the talent around them.  If I’m keeping it real, I’m letting you know that you’re not the only one that compares your work to others.  You’re not the only one that gets sick when you see an amazing piece of work from a “competing” photographer.  You’re not the only one that gets down about your talents when others are excelling.  I would be lying to you if I, too, hadn’t had these thoughts or feelings in the past.

Let me rewind. Days ago, a beautiful little five-year-old girl spent an afternoon studying the rocks in her backyard.  She found something unique, something that others in her family had walked on or passed by for years.  She bent over, dusted off the dirt and studied it’s characteristics.  She ran inside, wrapped it up in a handmade gift box, and hand-delivered it to my husband, Philip.  He had never seen a rock like it.  It was strong, small, and incredibly crafted and chiseled down to a most unrepeatable shape.

In the Boise area alone, there are thousands of rocks/photographers.  Some might call them “competitors” or “frienemies” of mine, but truly, I have nothing but empathy and appreciation for each of their rare talents, gifts, and characteristics of their own art form.  Each of them have a style that attract different clients.  Tyler Cazier, a classic and traditional photographer that has mastered gathering the beauty of what Idaho has to offer.  He is a veteran and one of the first to set up his own successful studio in the valley.  Nate Perkes, a new and upcoming photographer who captures fish-eye angles and architecture along with beautiful brides brilliantly.  And you watch, his business is about to explode.  Jennifer Ashby, Ashki Photography, Kam Taylor and Tiffany Hix are remarkable women who were born for family photography and portraiture.  Each of them have people skills and talents with not just the camera, but with people as well.  Laura Farris and Audrey Lewis are dear photographers that have the innate ability to dress up and capture the most precious of children.  And others like Crissie McDowell and  Diana Palmer who’s simplicity and vibrancy of colors and angles never let me down.  Even more than that, they are lovable and I consider them to be my friends.

I know there are hundreds of other photographers out there.  Leave a comment, send me an email.  I want to know you.  I want to relate to you and glory in your uniqueness as well.

After all, we might just be a big pile of “rocks” trying to get noticed, but you never know who will pick you up and fall in love with your unmistakable, undeniable, undisputable beauty.